Machine for expressing liquids from solids



Aug. 25, 1931 i H. L. DUNIIOPY ET AL MACHINE FOR EXPRESSING LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS Filed Feb. 5. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1 J L. BUN-LOP EAL ,8 0, '4

1 MACHINE FOR EXPRESSING LI uIDsmoM SOLIDS Filed Feb. '5. 1928 5 Sheets- Sheet f 2 hm r ' Aug. 25,1931. H. J. DUNLOP ETAL MACHINE FOR EXPRESS'ENG LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS Filgd Feb. 5, 192a 3 Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 25, 1931 .UNITED STATES PATENT ECE HENRY JOSEPH LONG DUNLOP, 0F BLUNDELLSANDS, AND ALBERT JACK SIBBALD, Q1 7 WALLASEY, ENGLAND MAGHINIE FOR EXPRESSING LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS Application filed February 3, 1928, Serial No. 251,588, and; in Great Britain February 4, 1927.

. This invention relates to machines for expressing liquids. from solids, and has reference more particularly to such machines for expressing oil from ground palm kernels and the like, and the object is to provide a power driven machine of simple and strong construction in which the process is carried on continuously and a high percentage of the oil extracted.

According to the invention the solids are compressed by being propelled against frictional resistance through a longitudinal passage of annularconiiguration formed in a casing-concentrically with the longitudinal axis about which the casing member is rotated whilst held against movement along the axis; said propulsion being efiected by an annular compression surface formed on the end of a compression member caused to rotate about, but held against movement along an axis inclined to the said longitudinal axis, each part-of such surface, by reason of the said axes being inclined, entering the annulus and compressing the solids therein during one portion of each of its revolutions, and during the other portion of its revolution receding from the annulus and leaving a space between the. end of the compressed solidmaterial in the annulus and the compression surface, to which space the solids to be compressed are fed from a suitable supply hopper; the said casing being provided with power-operated means to rotate it, and with axially distributed outlet ducts which permit the passage therethrough of the expressed liquid but not of the solids; and wlth a discharge outlet for solids at the end of'the annulus remote from the compression member.

e have illustrated our invention in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a simple form of the apparatus suitable for machlnes of moderate size.

Fig. 1 being an elevation in longltudmal medial section.

Fig. 2 being an end elevation in sectlon on the line II, II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3. illustrates a modification.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6' illustrate the preferred form of machine suitable for'expressing oil from ground palm kernels and the like.

Fig. 4c beingan elevation in medial longitudinal section.

Fig; 5 being a plan view; and

Fig. 6 an elevation in transverse section on the line VI, VI of Fig.4.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 A is the main shaft which is mounted in journal bearings B and C and driven by an suitable gear through a wheel D feathered on the shaft; the shaft is held against axial movement towards the bearing B by the thrust bearing E, the shaft being axially adjustable relatively to the bearing E by a regulating nut F fitting the fine screw-threaded portion alof the shaft. Mounted on the shaft A and keyed thereto is a casing G the end of which bears against a collar a2 which takes the axial thrust. The interior 91 of thecasing G communicates with the steam supply through an axial ductv a3. and cross ports at of the shaft A, the drainage being led away by the radial ports a5. and axial duct a6. H is an outer casing perforated to form radial ducts 72. connected to the inner casing by radial arms 72.1 which fit in longitudinal grooves formed on the outer surface of the casing G so that the two casings are rotated together, any suitable means being provided to prevent axial movement between the casmgs.

In addition to the grooves to take the ends of the arms 7&1 the casing G is provided with a series of grooves, preferably dovetail grooves 92; a series of cone-segment members K have on their inner cylindrical surfaces a series of dovetail projections which fit the grooves 92, the outer surfaces of the members K being of conical configuration. There is, therefore, formed by the three members H, K and Gr a conical annular space 0 divided into segments by the arms hl.

The material from which liquid is to be expressed is fed to the larger ends of the spaces O, driven axially therethrough and compressed to a degree which may be regulated by the axial adjustment of the cone segments, K on the sleeve G so as to vary the extent of the discharge openings 01. In the example illustrated the thrust on the parts K is taken by a ball thrust bearing 702, the abutment 702 of which is internally screwthreaded with a thread of fine pitch screwing onto corresponding threads bl formed on the exterior of the boss of the bearing B.

P is the compression member which is rotatably mounted on the fixed bearing C so as to rotate about an axis 17, p which is slightly inclined to the axis a, a of the shaftA and intersects that axis at the point 9. The member P has an extension p1 between the outer surface of which and a suitable bore of the bracket C the journal bearing R is carried, the thrust on the member P being taken by the ball thrust bearing S one of the races of which is carried by the bracket C the other race fitting in a suitable recess formed in the compression member P. The compression surface p2 of the member P forms part of a conical surface g1, Q and g2, and the conical face p2 is formed on the projecting portion 393 of the compression member P, which projection at the-point of nearest a proach between the compression member P and the annular member (see lower part of Fig.1 enters the annular recess 0, but by reason of the inclination of the axis 10, p as the part P and the annular member rotate the conical compression part 102 recedes from I the annular member, its maximum recedlng position being 180 from the pointof nearest approach, (see the upper portion of Fig. I The interior of the compression member P is bored out as at 124, the bearing C is bored out as at 01 and the bore 01 has an outlet passage-way 02; any of the material to be dealt with which may leak past the compression surface has a free outlet through the bores 794, 01 and passage-way c2.

: The inner surface of the projection p3 and the outer surface of the end of the member G or aseparate extension 93 thereof are spherical surfaces struck from the centre g.

It will be seen therefore that if the material of which the liquid has to be expressed is fed through a hopper T into the space between the compression surface 292 and the annular member 0 that as this material is carried round it will be forced into the annular member, and as the action is a continuous one the annular member gradually becomes filled with material, after which the material will be forced out of the openings 01 by axial pressure transmitted by the conical action of the compression surface 192 described, and as the circular portions 722 of the member H and the conical surfaces 703 of the cone portions K form converging tapered walls the material is compressed as it is forced axially through the spaces O, the liquid freed being carried away through suitable ducts formed in the wall of the member H, and being collected in a suitable vessel i1 carried by or formed integral with the bedplate I on which the bearings are mounted; the necessary heat to be transmitted to the material whilst it is being compressed being supplied by steam near to the space g1 as described.

It will be seen that the thrust of the conical members K is arrested by the bracket B. WVhere this thrust is considerable we prefer to take; it to the shaft A, the arrangement being modified as shown in Fig. 3, in which case the thrusts on the washers K are transmitted to a collar [04 mounted on the screwed portion (17 of the shaft A, an adjusting nut k5 fitting the said screwed portions and providing for the axial adjustment of the cone portions K. In this case'the thrust is transmitted through the shaft A to the thrust bearing E, so that the bracket C takes the thrusts in the one direction transmitted through the shaft A to the thrust bearing E,

balancing these thrusts in the one main frame member, the one bearing member thus relieving the foundation plate and the other bearing member of the cross-thrusts.

The action is as follows The material from which the be expressed say groundpalm kernels, is fed to the hopper.T,"as described andis-compressed as it is forced through the annular space 0, the casing H, the material in the annular space and the compression member P being rotated together; the cone portionsK are adjusted so that the compression to which the material is subjected as it is forced through the taperedannular space sufficient to express the necessary percentage of oil, the oil-freed material being delivered through the constricted annular delivery 01 atthe discharge end, and being collected in any suitable receptacle, the oil passing through the radial ducts h in the outer wall of the member H and being collected in a suitable drip tank 21 or the like carried by the machine bed 1.

Referring now to Figs. 4 to rangement is substantially similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the corresponding parts are generally indicated by the corresponding reference letters distinguished by different numerals. A is the shaft carried in the bearings B and 0 supported from the girders J which form the base-plate; an extra bearing B2 being added at the driving end. The wheel D gears with a pinion d1- carried by the, driving shaft D2 supported in bearings D3iand D4 carried from one of the girders J and the girder J2,'and D5 are the driving pulleys.-

The shaft thrust is taken by the thrust ball bearing E andthe adjustable nuts Ff} fitliquid is to ting the screw-threaded part a20 of the shaft A, the gear D being feathered on the shaft A, and being interposed between the bearing race e1-and the nuts'F; the compression member P is constructed as described in con nection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except that sleevejour'nal bearings R on the part 1211 of the member P take the place of the ball bearing R of Figs. 1, 2 and 3; the thrust on P is taken by the ball thrust bearing S.

The axis of rotation of the member P is -inclined to the axis of the shaft A, as shown at p, 10 Fig. 1; and the compression surface of the member P is the surface of a cone the apex of which is at the point at which the axis of-rotation of P intersects the axis of the shaft A, (see 9 Fig. 1). The bore of the part 3913 of the member P, and of the outer part of the inlet end of the member G are madeof spherical configuration, as described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. v G isthe inner casing member keyed to the shaft A, and steam is led to the space 911 through a pipe all inserted in the bore a19-and leading to the cross-ports (r15; the drainageis led away through the cross-ports alt and an annular passage-way between the 'pipe'and the bore (L19.

The outer member instead of being formed of a cylindrical casing with ducts, as in Figs. 1, 2-and-8 is composed of axially disposed bars H arranged in the form of a cylindrical casing with a narrow space between adjacent bars to form ducts to carry away the liquid expressed. The bars are located longitudinally in the bores of a series of parallel discs M whichmay be made in two parts divided diametrically as at m1, (see Fig. 6), and held together by bolts m4 and nuts m5 respectively engaging longitudinally disposed bars m8 'enga inglugs m6 formed on the discs M, which bars have spacing members m2 (shown by dotted lines) For convenience of assembly'the halves of the discs may be hinged 'asat m7. The annular space is divided into compartments by the radially disposed longitudinal plateshll, the outer ends of which fit in notches formed in the bores of the discs; the i n'n'er ends of the plates [L11 fit in grooves in the outer surface of the casing G and the bars Hand the plates All are wedged in position before the bolts m4 are screwed up so as to form with thecasing G a single rotatable structure.

The bars H have end and intermediate 'facings which abut and are so formed as to lea've'between the adjacent radial surfaces of the bars narrow passage-ways for the exit of the oil or othcrexpressed liquid.

- The cone members K are bored to fitthe outer surface of the member G, but instead of having dove-tail -projections fitting dovetail'recesses ,as described in Figs. '1, 2 and 3 they haveshouldered parts i016 formed in their longitudinal sides which parts fit below shoulders formed as shown at A14 (Fig. 6) at the innerends of the plates hll.

The cone parts are adjusted axially as described in connection with the modification illustrated in Fig. 3. we 1 The plate Z014 bears against the cone parts K, and is moved axially by the nut 015 fitting the screw threaded part al'? of the shaft A.

The solid material to be treated is fed to the hopper T. p

The part P is bored out at 3214, and th'e bearing part C is recessed at 011, and any of the material to be dealt with which may leak escapes We have described the compression surface 322 as being of conical configuratiomthe apex e1 of the cone preferably being at. the point of intersection of the respective axes of rotationof the respective members; where the angle between the said axes is very small the I said surface approximates to a plane surface, and in certain applications of thei'nvention it may be a plane surface formed on an annular extension of the compression member. 7 We have described the members K and K as being adjustable relatively to the annulus, but in certain cases where no regulation-of the cross-sectional area of the annular space is required the tapered part may be made integral with one or other of the members forming the annular space.

I It is usually desirable to make the crosssectional area of the annular space of tapering configuration from inlet to outlet in order m to provide the necessary resistance to the pas sage of the material through the annular member, but means other than tapering sleeves or segments of the kind described which provide such resistance may be employed; and such resistance may be provided by such members located in the annulus or located outside the annulus and adapted to constrict the discharge opening for solid material from the annulus.

Inthe case of some materials the resistance offered by a parallel annular spaceof 'sufiicient length is found to afford sufficient frictional resistance to ensure the necessary pressure for extraction. The arrangement de scribed, however, is found to be the most convenient for general purposes 4 In the arrangements described the compression member is rotated by frictional contact with the solid material tobe compressed,

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but in some cases the compression member may be driven at the same speed as the easing either by having its shaft geared to the casing shaft or .to other driven part of the machine 1 V a 1 The details of construction may be modified in accordance with the type and size of the machine and the class of material to be dealt .With.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention, andin what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is 2- 1. A machine for expressing liquids from solids comprising ;a casing member mount- .edso as to'be rotatable about a longitudinal axis and to beheld against axial movement, said casing having a longitudinally disposed open ended annular passage way formed therein, one end of the passageway forming the inlet for thematerial to be treated and the other end forming an outlet for the solid matter; and one of the walls of the annular passageway being perforated to formv outlets for the expressed liquid; means for rotating the casing member; a compression member mounted so asto be rotatable about an axis inclined-to and intersecting the longitudinal axis of the casing member; said compression member having formed at the end nearest the casing member a compression surface, each part of which surface, by reason of the said axes being inclined, moving, during a part of a revolution of the compression member, towards the inlet end of the annular passageway and moving during the other part of the revolution away from the, said inlet end; a feed hopper which -directs material to be treated supplied to it to the space between the end of'the annular passageway and the more remote portion of the compression surface; said material being forced into and through the annular passageway by the part of the compression surface with which it is in" contact, as the said part moves towards the end ofthe annular passageway, and being compressed as it is forced therethrough byreason of the frictional resistance between the material and the walls of the said passagewa v 1 A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the compression surface is a part of the surface of a cone the apex of which is at the point at which the axis of rotation of the compression member intersects the axis of rotation of the casing, member, the base angle of the cone being equal to the acute angle of inclination between the said axes.

3. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination ;a casing having an inner part fixed on a main shaft journalled in fixed bearings and held against axial movement, a'nd an outer perforated part carried by the inner part by means of radially disposed Webs so as to provide between the inner and outer parts of the casing a passageway of annular configuration divided into segments by the said radial webs, the perforations forming a series of ducts in the outer part of the casing adapted to permit the passage through them of the expressed liquid but not of the solid material; a series of cone segments of triangular longitudinal cross-section adapted to slide on the outer surface of-the inner part of the casing member and between the radial webs; means for adjusting the cone segments axially and for holding them in fixed axial position; a compression member rotatably mounted about an axis inclined to the axis of the main shaft and incapable of axial movement along the said axis; a compression surface on said compression member adapted to propel the solid material through the annular passageway; and power operated means for rotating the said main shaft.

4. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination ;an inner casing art fixed on a main shaft journalled in fixed earings and held against axial movement; and an outerperforatedcasing part carried by the inner part by radially disposed ribs so as to provide between the inner and outer parts of the casing a passageway of annular configuration divided into segments by the said radial webs, the perforations forming a series of ducts in the outer member of the casing adapted to permit the passage through them of the expressed liquid but not of the solid material; a series of cone segments of triangular longitudinal cross-section adapted to slide on the outer surface of the inner part of the casing member and between the radial ribs; means for adjusting the cone segments axially and for holding them in fixed axial position; a hollow compression member mtatably mounted about an axis inclined to the axis of the main shaft and incapable of axial movement along the said axis; a compression surface on the compression member adapted to propel the solid material through theannular passageway; power operated means for rotating the said main shaft; a bracket in which the compression member is rotatably mounted, said bracket having a central recess communicating with the interior of the compression member, and having an outlet port communicating with the central recess through which port solid material leaking past the compression surface is discharged.

5. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination ;-an inner casing portion fixed to a main shaft journalled in'fixed bearings and held against axial movement; an outer casing part carried by the inner casing part, and comprising a cylindrical portion, constituting the outer wall of the annular passageway between the inner and outer casing parts and formed by axially disposed parallel bars, and a series of transverse discs encircling the bars and holding them together, said cylindrical portion being provided with a series of radially disposed through ducts between the bars, said ducts forming multiple outlets through which the expressed liquid, but not the solid matter, passes from the annular passageway, a number of said bars suitably spaced being extended radially to form radial ribs connected at their inner edges to the inner casing portion, and connected at their outer edges to the discs; a series of cone segments of triangular longitudinal cross-section adapted to slide on the outer surface of the inner part of the casing member and between the radial ribs; means for adjusting the cone segments axially and for holding them in fixed axial position; a compression member rotatably mounted about an axis inclined to the axis of the main shaft and incapable of axial movement along the said axis; a compression surface on the compression member adapted to propel the solid material through the annular passageway; and power operated means for rotating the said main shaft.

6. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination ;an inner casing portion fixed on a main shaft journalled in fixed bearings and held against axial movement; an outer casing part formed by axially disposed parallel bars held together in cylindrical form by being enclosed in the bores of a series of transversely disposed diametrally split discs clamped together by longitudinal members connected by transverse bolts, the said bars forming the outer cylindrical portion of the annular passageway between the inner and outer casing parts, said cylindrical part being provided with narrow radially disposed through ducts between the bars, said ducts forming multiple outlets through which the expressed liquid but not the solids may pass; radial ribs connecting the inner and outer portions of the casing formed by a number of the said bars suitably spaced, extended radially and connected at their inner edges to the inner casing portion and connected at their outer edges to the discs; a series of cone segments of triangular longitudinal crosssection adapted to slide on the outer surface of the inner part of the casing member and between the radial ribs; means for adjusting the cone segments axially and for holding them in fixed axial position; a compression member rotatably mounted about an axis inclined to the axis of the main shaft and incapable of axial movement along the said axis; a compression surface on the compression member adapted to propel the solid material through the annular passageway; and power operated means for rotating the said main shaft.

7. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination with;'a casing pro v to permit the passage through vided with a longitudinal passageway of annular configuration anduwith ducts adapted them of liquid expressed but not solid matter;a shaft to which the casing is fixed; means for rotating. the shaft; a compression member rotatable'about'an axis inclined to the axis of the saidshaft and having a compression surface adapted to propel solid material through the annular passage-Way; a fixed bracket; a journal bearing in the said bracket for the main shaft; a thrust bearing in the said bracket to take the thrust on the casing; a thrust bearing on the said bracket adapted to take the thrust in the reverse. direction on the compression member.

8. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids, in combination ;a casing comprising inner and outer parts with an annular passageway betweenthem; discharge ducts in the; said casing for the expressed liquid; means for driving the casing; a hollow compression member rotatable about an axis inclined to that of the casing member and having on the end aprojecting portion on the face of which the compression surface is formed, the end portion of the bore of the said compression member being of spherical configuration Y corresponding with a sphere having its centre at the point where the axis of rotation of the compression member intersects the axis of rotation of the casing member; a corresponding spherical surface being formed on the end of the casing inner part.

9. In combination with the elements of claim 3, means forholding the cone segments in slidable relationship withthe casing inner member. p

10. In combination with the elements of claim 3, meansfor holding the cone segments in slidable relationship with the casing inner member '7 dial ribs between the casing inner and outer members and corresponding shoulders formed on the cone segments.

- 11. A. machine constructed in accordance with claim 3, in which the compression surface is a conical surface the apex of which is at the point at which the axis of rotation of the compression member intersects the axis of rotation of the casing member.

12. A machine constructed in accordance with claim 3, in which the bore of the extension of the compression member on the face. of which the compression surface is formed is of annular configuration, the bore of the annular part being of spherical configuration corresponding with a sphere the centre of which is at the'point where the axis of rotation of the compression member intersects the axis of rotation of the casing member; and in which the adjacent end of the casing inner member is made of corresponding spherical configuration.

13, Amachine as claimed in claim 1, in

comprising grooves formed in the -rawhich the compression member is made hol low and is mounted on a hollow boss of a bear ing bracket, the end portion vof the bore of.

the compression member being of spherical configuration corresponding with'a sphere having its centre at the point Where the axis of rotation of the compression member intersects the axis of rotatlon of the casmg member, a corresponding spherical surface being formed on the end of the casing member and making joint with the spherical surfaces on the compression member; an outlet portion, communicating with the, bore of the compression member, being formed in the boss of the bearing bracket to permit the discharge of any of the material to be treated which may leak past the said spherical surfaces.

14. A machine. as claimed in claim 1, in Which the compression member is made 1101- low, and a hollow bearing member is fixed on the side of the compression member remote from thecasing member, and in which a shaft to which the casing member is fixed and by which it is rotatably mounted, is carried through the compression member, and the said hollow bearing member; the equal and opposite reactions on the said compression member and shaft, respectively, due to the compression action, being balanced through the said bearing member. a

15. In a machine for expressing liquids from solids in combination; a casing having an inner part fixed on a main shaft journalled in fixed bearings and held against axial movement, and an outer perforated part carried by the inner part so as to provide between the inner and outer parts of the casing a passageway of annular configuration; the perforations forming a series of ducts in the outer part of the casing adapted to permit the passage through them of the ex pressed liquid but not of the solid material; a compression member rotatably mounted about an axis inclined to the axis of the main shaft and incapable of axial movement along the said axis; a compression surface on said compression member adapted to propel the solid material through the annularpassageway, and power operated means for rotating the said main shaft.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

HENRY JOSEPH LONG DUNLOP. ALBERT JACK SIBBALD. 

